6 Academy Museum Iconic Horror Movie Artifacts

Okay, there’s one on this list that doesn’t exactly qualify as an iconic horror movie artifact, but it did help create one of the most iconic horror movies ever, Psycho. It was the typewriter used to write the screenplay. (See number 2.) It’s among the horror movie artifacts that are part of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures collection.

I’ve been enchanted with the idea of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures since I first learned of it via a clever Super Bowl ad a few years ago. It started out, “If you’re looking for a quiet, remote family getaway, look no further than the newly renovated Overlook Hotel.”

Paired with scenes of hotel life that were unmistakable references to the 1980 Stanley Kubrick horror classic, The Shining, it instantly caught my eye and piqued my interest. At the end, there was both a phone number and a website address for the Academy Museum. Here’s the ad:

The phone number has been disconnected (which is a shame; it was hilarious), but the website is still valid (and included in the “For More Info” section below).

The museum isn’t open to the public quite yet. Soon, though. The grand opening is September 30, 2021.

However, we already know a couple of the horror movie artifacts they’ll have on display, including some from horror movies like Dracula and Jaws, which are included below. But what others do they have? Let’s check out what we know so far.

1. Costumes from The Shining (1980)

Since The Shining sort of first introduced me to the museum, let’s start with this iconic horror movie’s artifacts that the Academy Museum has in its collection. The only one I know for sure is an article of clothing, the crimson jacket worn by Jack Nicholson.

But what about the dresses the twins wore, Shelley Duvall’s bathrobe, or that creepy bear costume? Not sure yet but it’d be kind of cool to see any or all of those costumes too. If I learn more, I’ll update. Or if you find out, leave a comment!

2. The typewriter used to write the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho

Who cares about a boring old typewriter? On their own, they’re not very interesting, I agree. But as both an aspiring horror fiction writer and a lover of Hitchcock films, I think it’s neat the museum has the old Olympia Joseph Stefano used to adapt Robert Bloch’s novel into the screenplay for the trailblazing movie.

3. Extraterrestrial headpiece from Alien (1979)

The Xenomorphs have changed appearance a little since they originally appeared in the first movie, but one thing that’s always remained the same is how scary they are. Among its horror movie artifacts, the Academy Museum has the original mask worn in the first movie.

4. Kathy Bates’s costume from Misery (1990)

Bates’s performance as the overzealous fan Annie Wilkes was incredible. Did her denim and flannel ensemble aid in the deliverance at all? I say yes. The understated, almost drab, outfits her character favored masked the diabolical nutjob that lurked beneath an otherwise easily forgettable facade.

5. Bela Lugosi’s Dracula cape

Bela Lugosi owned the cape from one of his most memorable roles as the dashing yet deadly Count Dracula. He’d often wear it on stage or while making appearances, and it remained in the Lugosi family for over 80 years…until the Academy Museum acquired it in 2019.

6. Bruck the Shark from Jaws

Whatever happened to the toothy animatronic from Jaws? Well, there were more than one —three, in fact— all of which were destroyed when shooting wrapped. The Bruce the Shark that hangs above the escalators to greet museum visitors was cast from the same mold that created the sharks used in the movie. He was made after Jaws became such a mega-hit, and called Universal Studios Hollywood home for 15 years before he ended up in a junkyard for over 25 years —where he was luckily rediscovered and rescued.

For More Info

Visit academymuseum.org.

Check-In

“Go inside the movies.” That’s what the Academy Museum will allow visitors to do. I’m ready, what about you?

Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.

Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.